Half to james f



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

CHARLES ROBESON SQUIRE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JAMES E. HOTOHKISS, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

PROCESS OF PREPARING ORES FOR AMALGAMATION AND DESULPHURIZING THE SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 312,586, dated February 17, 1885.

Application filed July 21, 1883. Renewed July 25, 1884. (No specimens.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES ROBESON S UIRE,of the city of Brooklymin the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Preparing Ores Containing the Precious Metals for Amalgamation and Desulphurizing the Same, of which the following is a specification.

In carrying out my invention I use a solution of the residuum from the manufacture of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, which manufacture is effected by means of sulphuric acid on common salt. This residuum is sometimes called salt-cake, and an analysis thereof is substantially as follows: Sulphate of soda, ninety-five parts; chloride of soda, two parts; sulphuric acid, two parts; magnesia, &c., one part; total, one hundred parts. The strength of the solution must be determined by experience. I

The solution is used upon ores. that have been roasted, as well as upon those that have not; and the process consists in immersing the ores in a bath of the solution, either alone or in the amalgamator containing the mercury. If the ore, either roasted or not, is immersed in the solution, either in a bath of said solu tion or in an amalgamator with mercury, the solution has a scouring effect upon the oxide of iron and gold, by means of which the iron is removed and the gold left free to be taken up by the mercury. This action is partially chemical and partially due to the mechanical action of the pulverizer. It has beenfound that the mercury cannot flour or float in amalgamating, either in this or any other process, in the presence of the said solution. This process applies to all ores carrying gold or silver.

I do not wish to confine my invention to the accomplishment of any one particular effect upon the ore or metal, as from what has been said hereinbefore its, effects thereonwhen differently applied or under different circumstances and conditions are seen to be various as, to desulphurize the ores, prepare the metals for amalgamation, prevent the fiouring or sickening of the quicksilver, 8m.

I am aware that a'mixture of sodic sulphate and sulphuric acid in excess has been used in the reduction of ores prior to and to facilitate their calcination, that ores have been reduced by calcination with a mixture of anhydrous sodic sulphate with carbonaceous matsulphuric acid being subsequently added I sodic sulphate has been ter, in excess, and that mixed with ore and molded into blocks for roasting, the sulphate being moistened or in concentrated solution to facilitate the mold- 6o ing.

I do not claim in desulphurizing ores the use dry of salt-cake. Neither do I claim the use of a solution of niter-cake alone, as set forth in my application filed July 21, 1883,

Serial No. 101,519, nor that of a solution of a mixture of miter-cake and salt-cake, as set forth in my application filed April 10, 1883, Serial No. 91,305; but I am not aware that ore, whether roasted or not, has been desul- 0 phurized and prepared for amalgamation by exposure to the chemical action of salt-cake in solution in which the salt-cake is maintained in a state of solution; but

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The within-described process of preparing ores for amalgamation, which consists in immersing the ore in a solution of salt-cake, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The within-described processof desu1- which consists in immersing substantially phurizing ores, them in a solution of salt-cake, as hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of J nly, A.

CHARLES ROBESON SQUIRE. [L. s]

Witnesses:

SAMUEL P. BELL, W. S. MIDDLETON. 

